Panhandler sentenced on trespassing charge

WORCESTER — A Worcester man was sentenced to 30 days in the House of Correction for trespassing on an exit ramp from Interstate 290 while panhandling.

Robert Ferguson, 47, of 8 Alpine St., was arrested and charged with trespassing and aggressive panhandling at about 8 :30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 25, after he was warned by several police officers to stay away from the exit ramp that leads from I- 290 eastbound to Vernon Street.

According to the police report, Mr. Ferguson was holding a sign and had entered the roadway, forcing cars to go around him. The report stated, "One vehicle almost did hit him as we approached."

Mr. Ferguson pleaded guilty to the trespassing charge; he was found responsible for the panhandling charge, which was filed.

Mr. Ferguson's sentence runs concurrently with a separate case in which he pleaded guilty to violation of an abuse prevention order, and he received 30 days credit from Judge Andrew D'Angelo.